By its very nature, any basement space is going to be a challenge when it comes to keeping humidity at bay and combatting dampness, but with people seeking to increase their living space; basement conversions are becoming more and more common. If you’re in the process of converting your basement into additional living or useful space; such as a utility room, office or playroom, then you’re sure to be looking at your flooring options and could maybe do with some helpful hints.
The first thing to say about wood flooring in basements is that there is no doubt that engineered wood flooring will stand up much better to the challenges it’s likely to face than solid wood flooring. In a nutshell, solid hardwood flooring, as the name suggests is made from planks, which are created from one single piece of timber eg. oak or walnut, whereas engineered is based on a combination of wood and other materials. Engineered wood is made of three layers of hardwood plus a layer of plywood or MDF and is finished off with a layer of hardwood. Because of the make up of the top layer of these boards, the look of both solid and engineered hardwood flooring is the same.
Because humidity levels in basements are likely to fluctuate more than in some other parts of the home, any wood flooring you install will need to withstand those fluctuations without becoming damaged. The make up of engineered wood flooring enables it to resist the negative effects of humidity and dampness much more effectively than solid wood. All of that said, it’s essential, before investing in any new flooring at all for your basement, that you ensure that the subfloor is both structurally sound and not too high in existing moisture, otherwise, you could be wasting your money. If you want to find out more about moisture testing your subfloor, you might find this article useful.
Once you have satisfied yourself that your subfloor doesn’t contain so much moisture that you’d be nervous installing your new floor, in order to reduce the risk of problems caused by future moisture, you need to introduce a suitable damp proof barrier. There are various options when it comes to damp proof barriers, most of which involve either the introduction of a damp proof layer, which is attached to the subfloor using an appropriate adhesive, or a primer, sealer or skim coat applied to the subfloor which has damp-resistant qualities. There is little doubt, that if you are planning on investing in a new wood floor for your basement, it is well worth researching and seeking advice on the most suitable damp proof barrier for your project.
And finally, if you have taken all the steps you can to make sure that your basement is sufficiently dry to install your floor, it’s well worth taking one final step and treating your wood flooring with an anti-damp finish to help further reduce the risk of future damage.
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FAQ
1. Why is engineered wood flooring recommended for basements over solid wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is better equipped to withstand the likely humidity fluctuations in basements than solid wood flooring. Its composition allows it to resist the negative effects of humidity and dampness much more effectively than solid wood.
2. What is the difference between solid wood and engineered wood flooring?
Solid hardwood flooring is made from planks, which are created from one single piece of timber such as oak or walnut. In contrast, engineered wood is composed of three layers of hardwood plus a layer of plywood or MDF and is topped off with a layer of hardwood.
3. What preparations should be made before installing wood flooring in a basement?
Before investing in any new flooring for your basement, ensure that the subfloor is both structurally sound and not excessively damp. You may consider moisture testing your subfloor to ensure it’s suitable for installation.
4. What can be done to protect the wood flooring from future moisture damage?
Introduce a suitable damp proof barrier. There are various options, most of which involve either introducing a damp proof layer attached to the subfloor using an appropriate adhesive, or applying a primer, sealer, or skim coat to the subfloor with damp-resistant qualities.
5. Can additional steps be taken to protect the wood flooring from dampness?
Yes, treating your wood flooring with an anti-damp finish can further reduce the risk of future damage due to dampness.